President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said that terrorism poses the most serious threat to the world’s peace and security and asked the international community to work together to eradicate the menace.

“Terrorism today poses the most serious threat to our peace and security. The international community will need to work together. We will need to foster tolerance and understanding in all societies and eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” said Mukherjee, who is here on a three-day visit — the first by an Indian President in 18 years.

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In his speech at the state banquet given in his honour by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Mukherjee said the common challenges would necessitate an environment of peace and security in the region and beyond.

Nepal Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said no country should allow its territory to be used against another country and condemned all forms of terrorism. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said Nepal was aware of India’s concerns and condemned terrorism.

On his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport here, Mukherjee was received by Bhandari and later the two leaders had a meeting. “The bilateral meeting was warm and cordial,” foreign ministry officials here said.

The talks focused on strengthening India-Nepal relations, which had been strained over the issue of promulgation of the new Constitution. “The Indian President also congratulated President Bhandari and the people of Nepal for promulgation of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly last year,” foreign ministry spokesman Bharat Raj Paudyal said.

Mukherjee will visit Pokhara and the religious centre of Janakpur before he returns to Delhi on Friday.

The government declared Wednesday a public holiday as a mark of respect for Mukherjee.